A DRUG dealer was found hiding in a wardrobe after abandoning his car during a police chase.

Dontae Bradley was being pursued by police in St Andrew’s Avenue, Colchester, when he stopped his Renault Kangoo in the middle of the road, got out of the car and jumped over a fence.

Officers initially lost sight of the 21-year-old but he was arrested a short time later hiding in a wardrobe in a nearby property.

Henny Tatum, prosecuting, told magistrates during the chase, Bradley threw a ruck sack away, which was later found and searched.

It was found to contain £1,000 in cash and about 21g of cannabis.

In a subsequent search of the abandoned vehicle, officers also found a mobile phone, a baseball bat and more loose cash.

His finger prints and DNA were also found on the cash and the drugs.

Bradley, of St Botolph’s Street, in Colchester, appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court yesterday and admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply, failing to stop when ordered by a police officer, driving otherwise in accordance with his licence and driving without insurance.

Each charge relates to April 24.

Magistrates declined to sentence him because their powers are insufficient for the severity of the crimes.

The dealer was told to expect a “tough” sentence when he appears at Ipswich Crown Court next month.

He was released on unconditional bail.

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A MAN used a samurai sword for personal protection during a neighbour dispute, as court has heard.

Colchester Magistrates' Court heard Chris Corcoran brandished the antique sword outside his home, in Sunbeam Avenue, Clacton during an argument with Paul Noakes.

Henny Tatum, prosecuting, told the bench police had been called to the street by Mr Noakes because he was in fear for his life.

She added when armed police arrived Corcoran was pacing the road but no weapon could be seen.

The 24-year-old, who denies threatening a person with an offensive weapon, appeared dishevelled in the dock yesterday and a trial date was in November was set.

Corcoran was granted bail and must not contact Mr Noakes.

He is also banned from entering Talbot Avenue, in Clacton.

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A MAN has avoided jail after brandishing a six-inch carving knife in public.

Steven Knight had the knife outside his home, in Mendlesham Close, Clacton, during a dispute with neighbours.

No injuries were caused.

The 50-year-old admitted possessing a knife in a public place on August 20 when he appeared at Colchester Magistrates yesterday.

Magistrates handed him a 12-month community order which means he must carry out 160 hours of unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay a total of £170 in court costs and charges.

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A VULNERABLE 93-year-old was the victim of a credit card fraud, a court has heard.

Ashley Dick is accused of using the elderly woman's missing card in a bid to get cash for himself.

Prosecutor Sara French told Colchester Magistrates' Court yesterday the 30-year-old, of Brooklands, in Clacton, used the card three times on September 10 as he tried to make the gain.

Dick denied three charges of fraud by false representation but admitted possessing a Class A drug, having been found with heroin when he was arrested on September 20.

Dick was given bail but was ordered to stay at a property in St Christopher Way, in Clacton, until his next court hearing, at Colchester Magistrates' Court, in November.

He must also remain indoors between 7pm and 6am every night.

He will be sentenced for the drug offence after an expected trial on the fraud charges.